Barkerville,
BC

Visitors
can take themselves back in time by visiting the authentically
reconstructed historic town of Barkerville and the nearby
bustling town of Wells.

Barkerville
Barkerville, British Columbia, is located at the end of the
Cariboo Gold Rush Trail, 89 km (55 mi.) east of Quesnel
on Highway 26.

In
1862, Billy Barker found gold on Williams Creek, a discovery
that started a rush of fortune seekers from all over the world.
Between 1862 and 1870, over 10,000 people travelled the Cariboo
Wagon Road, named the eighth wonder of the world, converging
on the gold fields, and the boom-town called Barkerville.
In its heyday, Barkerville was the largest city west of Chicago
and north of San Francisco.

Along
the highway to Barkerville, where stage coaches and pack horses
once travelled, there are historical points of interest with
such intriguing names as Mexican Hill, Robber's Roost and
Devil's Canyon. Cottonwood House Historic Site feature one
of the last original roadhouses along the Cariboo Wagon Road.
Blessing's Grave is a lonely roadstop marking the site of
an infamous murder.

This
authentically reconstructed historic city of Barkerville is
one of the finest anywhere, boasting over 100 displays and
"living history" programs; roar to the antics of the stage
shows at the Theatre Royal, sample a treat at the bakery,
quaff a glass of cool root beer at the saloon, or partake
of pioneer (or modern) fare at one of the eateries or hotels
along Main Street. Stop and talk to the "residents" and find
out what it was like to be a blacksmith, a school teacher,
seamstress or young child 100 years ago! To bring home your
experiences get a photo taken in top hat or long gown and
billowing hat.

Information
& Services

Becker's Lodge Bowron Lake Adventures Resort: We offer affordable family vacations on beautiful Bowron Lake with canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and RELAXING The Lake View Restaurant and Chuters Blue Bar have great food, and we’re “THE” outfitter for the Bowron lakes with over 150 canoes and kayaks. more

Bowron Lake Canoe Rentals: Rent all the boats and supplies you need to canoe or kayak the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit. We have over 130 canoes and kayaks, and 25 years experience. We also offer lodging and complete canoe trip packages. more

The Wells Hotel Ltd.: Enjoy simple elegance, cozy accommodation & country meals, in a restored heritage country inn near Barkerville & Bowron Lakes. Relax in the pub, read a book by the fire, or go walking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, or x-country skiing from the front door. more

Wells
Established in the 1930's as a gold mining town, Wells, British
Columbia, is located 74km (46 mi.) east of Quesnel
on Highway 26 and 8 km (5 mi.) west of Barkerville. The town
is named after Fred Wells who had prospected in the area for
10 years and discovered the Cariboo Gold Quartz Mine. Wells'
mine introduced a new era in the history of gold-mining in
the Cariboo since there had been little lode mining up to
that point in time.

The
town of Wells reached its maximum population of 3000 by 1940.
The population is now substantially reduced but swells in
the summer with the influx of summer residents and those coming
for the various activities in the area or to partake in the
courses offered by the Island Mountain School of Arts. The
Island Mountain School of Arts features workshops in folk
art, the performing arts, photography and journalism, drawing
and watercolour. The gallery is open to to the public, with
special sales and shows through out the year. Wells has four
gallery/gift shops that are linked by a footpath.

Winter
and snow conditions in the Wells Barkerville make for excellent
snowmobiling, cross country skiing, back country skiing and
dog sleding. Every spring the town hosts the Great Canadian
Hill Climb, a very difficult course, with snowmobilers from
all over Western Canada participating, or just watching the
spills and trills.

Summer
in Wells and area means mountain biking, hiking, canoeing
the Bowron Lake canoe circuit, fishing, gold panning, wildlife
viewing and bird watching. Barkerville, which is nearby offers
a walk back in British Columbia history, a glimpse of yesterday's
Cariboo Gold Rush.

Wells
is presently restoring some of the historical buildings to
bring back the character of the town.